The OPA Annual Golf 2017
was held on the 1st September 2017 at Staffield Golf and Country Club,
Mantin. Instead of the normal tee off on a Saturday morning, it has
now been decided, that the tournament be held on a Friday, as it speaks
sense for the organizing committee members who will be very tied up
with responsibility for the annual dinner preparation the following
day.

This year, the tournament
attracted a very good field of 18 flights with 71 golfers consisting
of Paulians, Lasallians and Guests with some Paulians coming from
as far as Canada and Singapore. Noticeably, among the participants
were two professional golfers, Miss Lim Ai Lian and Victor Lim, both
are brother and sister and both are also Paulians as well. The prizes
were quite attractive until the 15th position Nett with some trophies
and novelty prizes. To add glamour and excitement to the event, there
were also two “hole in one” prizes for a Honda Accord
VTi-L, generously sponsored by Mr. Billy Wong of Messrs. Ban Heng
Lee Motors as well as a King Size Lady Americana Mattress worth RM20,000
sponsored by our very consistent OPA sponsor, Mr. Steven Loo of Messrs.
Far East Foam Industries Sdn Bhd.

In the Gross category where
Low Seng Koon was defending his crown, the high expectations of the
pros Ai Lian and Victor to create an impact fizzles out with Ai Lian
playing below expectation and Victor on the other hand, having to
endure a dreadful back injury but nevertheless he persevere till the
very end. It was a very close affair, which could have gone either
way among Gabriel Lee Poh Long, Low Seng Koon and Manimaran who carded
a score of 80, 81, 81 respectively. Thus Gabriel Lee Poh Long has
to be deemed the “giant-killer” as he was crowned the
new OPA Gross Champion. Trailing by “an inch” was Low
Seng Koon who won the second placing on official count back and Manimaran
has to settle for third placing.

For the Nett category,
first timer, Stanley Shoon of the 3rd Seremban Scouts, wins honour
in his first attempt. Playing to a handicap of 16, Stanley carded
a very impressive Nett score of 71. Trailing him closely on second
placing was Santhana Dass, handicap 13 who carded a Nett score of
72. The third placing, was won by Low Kok Khen, a 12 handicapper with
a Nett score of 73

Besides conveying his thanks
and appreciation to Mr. Billy Wong and Mr. Steven Loo, the organizing
chairman, Steven Chan also wished to convey a sincere vote of thanks
to Mr. Francis Yew of Heineken Malaysia Berhad for the sponsorship
of the free Tiger Beer as well as the golf umbrella as a goody item.

As usual, please keep your
eyes on the ball and let’s space the date for the next OPA Golf
event which will be on 31st August 2018 as we also celebrate Merdeka
Day.